Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Liquiglide Inc.

J David Smith

Kripa K Varanasi

Rajeev Dhiman

Adam T Paxson

Brian Richmond Solomon

Christopher Jameson Love

Justin Kleingartner

C Benjamin Renner

Bahar M Alipour

Sruti Balasubramanian

Carsten Louis Boers

Sushant Anand

Ernesto Reza-Garduño Cabello

Srinivas Prasad Bengaluru Subramanyam

Konrad Rykaczewski

Brian Jordan

Robert E Cohen

Gareth H McKinley

Adam J Meuler

Harrison L Bralower

Gisele Azimi

Konrad Rykaczewksi

Ernesto Reza-Garduno Cabello

Christohpher J Love

In certain embodiments, the invention is directed to apparatus comprising a liquid-impregnated surface, said surface comprising an impregnating liquid and a matrix of solid features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain the impregnating liquid therebetween or therewithin, and methods thereof. In some embodiments, one or both of the following holds: (i) 0<ϕ≤0.25, where ϕ is a representative fraction of the projected surface area of the liquid-impregnated surface corresponding to non-submerged solid at equilibrium; and (ii) S<0, where Sis spreading coefficient, defined as γ−γ−γ, where γ is the interfacial tension between the two phases designated by subscripts w, a, and o, where w is water, a is air, and o is the impregnating liquid.

Apparatus and methods employing liquid-impregnated surfaces

Described herein are medical devices and medical implements with high lubricity to flesh (or biological fluid) and/or inhibited nucleation on its surface. The device has a surface comprising an impregnating liquid and a plurality of micro-scale and/or nano-scale solid features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain the impregnating liquid therebetween. The impregnating liquid fills spaces between said solid features, the surface stably contains the impregnating liquid between the solid features, and the impregnating liquid is substantially held in place between the plurality of solid features regardless of orientation of the surface.

Medical devices and implements with liquid-impregnated surfaces

The invention is directed to an article with a liquid-impregnated surface, the surface having a matrix of features thereupon, spaced sufficiently close to stably contain a liquid therebetween or therewithin, and preferable also a thin film thereupon. The surface provides the article with advantageous non-wetting properties. Compared to previous non-wetting surfaces, which include a gas (e.g., air) entrained within surface textures, these liquid-impregnated surfaces are resistant to impalement and frost formation, and are therefore more robust.

Liquid-impregnated surfaces, methods of making, and devices incorporating the same

Embodiments described herein relate generally to systems and methods for creating durable lubricious surfaces (DLS) via interfacial modification. The DLS can be prepared via a combination of a solid, a liquid, and an additive that modifies the interface between the DLS and a contact liquid, resulting in an interfacial layer that acts as a lubricant and/or protective coating between the DLS and the contact liquid. The lubricating effect created between the additive and the contact liquid results in enhanced slipperiness, as well as the protective properties that can help with durability of the DLS.

Systems and methods for creating durable lubricious surfaces via interfacial modification

Embodiments described herein relate to articles and methods for forming liquid surface films on the interior surfaces of containers for holding one or more products comprising one or more Bingham plastic materials. Bingham plastic materials behave as a solid under no or low shear stress, and behave as viscous liquids when an applied shear stress exceeds a yield stress. In some embodiments, a container for containing a product includes an interior surface and a liquid disposed on the interior surface. Before introduction of a product into a container, the liquid may be surrounded by air. The liquid-air interface in contact with the interior surface makes a contact angle, &#x3b8;, with respect to the interior surface of the container, of about 0&#xb0;. After a product has been introduced to the container, the liquid is at least partially covered by the product. The liquid-product interface in contact with the interior surface, makes a contact angle, &#x3b8;, with respect to the interior surface, of less about 60&#xb0;. The subscript 'o' denotes the liquid, subscript 's' denotes the interior surface, subscript &#x201c;a&#x201d; denotes air, and subscript &#x201c;p&#x201d; denotes a product. In some embodiments, the contact angle &#x3b8;can be less than about 50&#xb0;, less than about 40&#xb0;, or less than about 30&#xb0;.

Articles and methods for forming liquid films on surfaces, in devices incorporating the same

In certain embodiments, the invention is directed to apparatus comprising a liquid-impregnated surface, said surface comprising an impregnating liquid and a matrix of solid features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain the impregnating liquid therebetween or therewithin, and methods thereof. In some embodiments, one or both of the following holds: (i) 0&#x3c;&#x3d5;&#x2264;0.25, where &#x3d5; is a representative fraction of the projected surface area of the liquid-impregnated surface corresponding to non-submerged solid at equilibrium; and (ii) S&#x3c;0, where Sis spreading coefficient, defined as &#x3b3;&#x2212;&#x3b3;&#x2212;&#x3b3;, where &#x3b3; is the interfacial tension between the two phases designated by subscripts w, a, and o, where w is water, a is air, and o is the impregnating liquid.

This invention relates generally to articles, devices, and methods for gas hydrate mitigation in deep-sea drilling applications. In certain embodiments, hydrate-phobic surfaces are provided that ensure passive enhancement of flow assurance and prevention of catastrophic failures in deep-sea oil and gas operations.

Articles and methods for reducing hydrate adhesion

Described herein are conduits for conveying fluids and/or solids, the conduits having an interior surface that provide a high-slip boundary condition, thereby facilitating the flow of material therethrough. In some embodiments, the conduit has an interior surface with an impregnating liquid and a plurality of micro-scale and/or nano-scale solid features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain the impregnating liquid therebetween. The impregnating liquid fills spaces between the solid features, the interior surface stably contains the impregnating liquid between the solid features, and the impregnating liquid is substantially held in place between the plurality of solid features regardless of orientation of the interior surface and regardless of flow, passage, or removal of fluids and/or solids through, into, or out of the conduit.

Apparatus with a liquid-impregnated surface to facilitate material conveyance

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Arlington, MA, United States of America

J David Smith